Employer Zone

As an employer in Greater Manchester, why should you be involved in lifelong learning?

A skilled and motivated workforce is key to giving a company competitive advantage in an increasingly globalised economy. Education, skills and qualifications benefit both individuals and employers, and as the demand for highly trained staff increases, lifelong learning becomes an economic imperative, making employers increasingly aware of the need to invest in the skills of their workforce. An inability to compete can cost more than an investment in staff training. Better skills, higher productivity. 

How can the GMSA help your business?

The GMSA can act as a central point for educational information across Greater Manchester, liaising with employers to identify skills needs and working with the GMSA membership of thirty universities, colleges and work-based learners to bring you an education solution to meet your staffs' skills needs, in a one-stop shop approach. The GMSA also offers GMSA Advance, a means of bringing together modules delivered by different institutions and building these into an award, one which suits your preferred delivery method, such as work-based, distance, taught or part-time learning.

GMSA Advance

Rather than a more traditional academic approach to constructing courses and qualifications, GMSA Advance provides a unique opportunity for employers and individuals to determine the size of their qualifications and the modules that make up that qualification.

Advantages of GMSA Advance:

• Short, flexible cost-effective upskilling courses with higher education credits
• Courses delivered in the workplace and through online learning
• Ability to build towards a larger, recognised higher education qualification
• Increased motivation and company loyalty from employees
• Incorporates existing in-house training programmes
• Increased higher level skills in the workforce

To obtain a copy of the new GMSA Advance DVD please contact Sharon Cameron on 0161 921 8040.

Sector Development groups

The GMSA is focusing on employers in key business sectors – Financial and Professional Services, Computing and ICT, Creative Industries and Digital Media, Health and Social Care, Retail and Logistics, Sustainable Communities, Land Based and the Built Environment.

We are running major projects designed to help people with vocational qualifications into degree level courses within GMSA Pathways and are developing a range of new business-led, higher education short courses and modules within GMSA Advance.

Funding

The Higher Education Council for England (HEFCE) is moving towards a model called ‘co-funding’ which enables employers to develop their own courses along with an education institution, designed for their exact business requirements.

The employers provide a proportion of the full-time equivalent grant, such as a financial or in-kind contributions, including mentoring, in addition to any fees, to develop a course which responds to their workforce development needs.  

Case studies

Logistics employers help create foundation degree

CPD is something to savery

NHS training accredited in Greater Manchester

Tameside College pumps Manchester businesses with higher level skills

Contact

Our aim is to help you as an employer to develop the world-class skills your workforce needs to keep your business competitive. Please contact the GMSA on 0161 921 8040 for more information.